An EP of cover versions of the classic Soundgarden song “4th of July” is released today, by Gift of Blindness. Featuring remixes and alternate version by Fragment. Available as a pay what you like download.

The Gift of Blindness album can be pre-ordered now via our Bandcamp page. 3 tracks are available to download immediately with the purchase. Official release date is 20th of April.

Gift of Blindness is the collaboration of Umair Chaudhry and Simon Tierney (both formerly of Oxford based hardcore-experimentalists Xmas Lights). Taking the doom metal template and infusing it with elements of shoegaze, post-rock and black metal, Gift of Blindness’ style is equally crushing as it is hypnotising and experimental. The band’s first self-titled album features 9 songs in this style which the band intend to evolve with future releases.

Oxford stoner/doom/blues crew Desert Storm release their 3rd album “Omniscient” today. Recorded by Jamie Dodd of Orange Goblin with artwork by Chris Benoist, this proves to be Desert Storm’s most ambitious album yet.

DESERT STORM announce album details; confirm appearance at London Desertfest

Oxford-based riff-hounds, DESERT STORM, have today unveiled details of their upcoming album, and confirmed an appearance at the London edition of Desertfest 2015.

The five piece band entered the studio earlier this year to lay down the tracks for the album, which will be titled ‘Omniscient’. They recorded the ten track album with Jamie Dodd at Flesh & Bone Studio, Hackney, before the producer – who counts Orange Goblin among his credits – returned to The Animal Farm studio in south London, where it was mixed.

The band commented: “This album is a natural progression from our previous releases; it has elements of blues, sludge, stoner, psychedelia and even a bit of folk. We’ve mixed things up a bit for a more interesting album – in our opinion. We’re looking forward to seeing what other people think, come January”.

The follow up to 2013’s critically acclaimed ‘Horizontal Life’, which was mastered by Billy Anderson (Melvins, Sleep, Cathedral) now has a confirmed release date of 26th January 2015. What may appear to the untrained eye to be a straight up stoner rock album, has a bluesy depth and at times veers towards a folk-tinged acoustic edge. A taster of the album has already been unveiled by way of the track ‘Queen Reefer’ which was recently streamed by Terrorizer magazine.

In addition to the album news, DESERT STORM are delighted to confirm that they’ll be on the bill at the 2015 Desertfest in London. Sleep, Red Fang and Orange Goblin are already confirmed for the event which will take place at various venues in Camden, between 24th-26th April.

Outlander

Queen Reefer

Horizon

Sway of The Tides

Home

House of Salvation

Night Bus Blues

Bandwagon

Blues Snake Moan

Collapse of The Bison Lung

Artwork for the release was created by Bolton based tattoo artist Dale Sarok.

DESERT STORM will appeal to fans of The Sword, Clutch, Down and Torche.‘Omniscient’ is their third album – their heaviest, yet most diverse release to date. The band have notched up many high profile support slots over the years, including tours with Karma To Burn and Nashville Pussy.

Here it is… a free track by my doom project Gift of Blindness, taken from forthcoming album “In a Moment We Forget”. The album will feature 8 lengthy tracks, and is about 90% done. Just need to record vocals for the final track then onto mixing / mastering.

The album’s been in the works for about a year, but the genesis for it started nearly 10 years ago from a jam session I had with some friends, some of the riffs from that jam session are featured on the album. In the meantime, you can stream / download “Automaton” below